A New Musical Version by Matthew Gandolfo and Stanley Barber

The Story

The tale of the young Kansas girl, caught up in a fierce cyclone that carries her and her dog Toto to a magical, mysterious place called Oz, is a familiar part of American folklore.

The magnificent, incomparable MGM musical of 1939 has been loved by generations of children and their parents worldwide, and it set a very high standard for musical theatre and film with its brilliant score and screenplay, its legendary cast, and iconic imagery.

The world famous musical film was produced as the clouds of World War II were gathering, and the concept of “there’s no place like home” struck a powerfully emotional chord.

What we have tried to do, circa 2008 AD, is look at this wonderful tale from a different vantage point: that along the path of our lives we encounter mentors - sometimes, strangers, sometimes those right nearby - who can teach us new and important things we need to live a more authentic life.

Our Dorothy’s quest to get home is only part of her journey. Along that famous yellow brick road, she learns about thinking, feeling, and facing her fears through the archetypes of the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion; about good and evil as incarnate in the witches, and how easily we can be duped by the promises of “wizards”.

It is not enough that we have a brain, a heart, or courage, but what truly matters is the use we put them to, and who they help us become.